Lawn tamping machine



Feb. 15, 1955 K. G. GARDNER LAWN TAMPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1951 IN V EN TOR. Karl Gear-g2 Gardper A TTORNEY 21 H I l 3% Fig.2

United States Patent LAWN TAMPING MACHINE Karl G. Gardner, Canton, Ohio Application January 16, 1951, Serial No. 206,152 3 Claims. (Cl. 55-1) My invention relates to improved means to level a lawn through a tamping on the lawn. The usual lawn roller usually is used on a moistened or soft lawn to attempt to improve irregularity of the lawn. However, in order for the roller to accomplish its results it often displaces the turf with detrimental effects on the lawn in general. With my improved machine the lawn is tamped thus leveling any irregularities without any possibility of dislodging or moving the turf from its bed.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine movable over the lawn and having means operable through the action of the rolling wheels to create a tamping of the lawn. A further object is to provide means for moving the machine rearwardly without imparting movement to the tamping plate.

My invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my improved machine.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a .longitudinal section of the same, taken in the plane of line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detailed view showing the action of a cam on the tamping plate.

My improved machine comprises side plates 11 having a central cross shaft 12 journaled in the plates and having wheels 13 keyed to the extending ends of the shaft 12. The central portion of the shaft 12 between the plates 11 is provided with a pair of cams 14 for coaction with a cam face 15 on a tamping plate 16. The tamping plate 16 has extending trunnions 17 which are journaled in the side plates 11 whereby the action of the cams 14 against the cam face 15 will cause the tampling-plate 16 to lift and fall as the machine is rolled along the lawn. The tamping plate 16 has extending lugs 18 on the rear end thereof for engagement with pins 19 extending from the side plates to limit the downward movement of the tamping plate. I prefer to decrease the thickness of the tamping plate toward the front end and also provide the tamping plate with a series of apertures 20 to permit easier manipulation of the plate.

The forward edge, of

2,701,939 Patented Feb. 15, 1955 plate 16 is provided with a roller 21 to prevent the forward edge of the plate from gouging into the grass. A pair of cross rods 22 and 23 space the side plates 11 and retain the plates in their proper position. A roller 24 interposed between the plates gives a balanced rolling action to the machine. A suitable control handle 25 has its respective arms pivoted to the side plates as at 26 and has extending pins 27 movable in slots 28 in the side plates to permit adjustment of the handle to a convenient height for the user and when it is desired to move the machine backward the handle is pushed downwardly causing the studs 27 to engage the rear extremity of the slots 28 whereupon additional pressure on the handle will raise the machine on the roller 24 permitting the machine to be moved backward with the wheels 13 off the ground thus preventing any movable action to the tamping plate upon backward movement of the machine.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have devised a simple practical machine for tamping the lawn which can easily be manipulated and which will level the lawn without displacing any of the turf.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A hand operated tamping machine comprising a pair of connected parallel side plates forming a frame, a shaft journalled in the forward end of said side plates with ends extending through said plates, wheels secured to the extending ends of said shaft, a tamping plate having a forward end and a rear end, trunnions extending from the rear end of said plate and journalled insaid side plates below said shaft, cams on said shaft, a cam face on said tamping plate coacting with said cams on said shaft whereby upon rotation of said wheels said tamping plate is raised and dropped to create a tamping action by said tamping plate.

2. A hand operated tamping machine according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said tamping plate is of reduced thickness extending from said rear end to said forward end and provided with a series of apertures therein.

3. A hand operated tamping machine according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that said tamping plate is provided with a roller at its forward end and said frame is provided with a roller at its rear end and with an adjustable handle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 835,929 Bassett Nov. 13, 1906 874,286 Bassett Dec. 17, 1907 1,174,803 Bathrick Mar. 7, 1916 1,458,655 John June 12, 1923 2,460,322 Walker Feb. 1, 1949 

